Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 251287 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AEMR ASEC AMGT AE AS AMED AVIAN AU AF AORC AGENDA AO AR AM APER AFIN ATRN AJ ABUD ARABL AL AG AODE ALOW ADANA AADP AND APECO ACABQ ASEAN AA AFFAIRS AID AGR AY AGS AFSI AGOA AMB ARF ANET ASCH ACOA AFLU AFSN AMEX AFDB ABLD AESC AFGHANISTAN AINF AVIATION ARR ARSO ANDREW ASSEMBLY AIDS APRC ASSK ADCO ASIG AC AZ APEC AFINM ADB AP ACOTA ASEX ACKM ASUP ANTITERRORISM ADPM AINR ARABLEAGUE AGAO AORG AMTC AIN ACCOUNT ASECAFINGMGRIZOREPTU AIDAC AINT ARCH AMGTKSUP ALAMI AMCHAMS ALJAZEERA AVIANFLU AORD AOREC ALIREZA AOMS AMGMT ABDALLAH AORCAE AHMED ACCELERATED AUC ALZUGUREN ANGEL AORL ASECIR AMG AMBASSADOR AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL ADM ASES ABMC AER AMER ASE AMGTHA ARNOLDFREDERICK AOPC ACS AFL AEGR ASED AFPREL AGRI AMCHAM ARNOLD AN ANATO AME APERTH ASECSI AT ACDA ASEDC AIT AMERICA AMLB AMGE ACTION AGMT AFINIZ ASECVE ADRC ABER AGIT APCS AEMED ARABBL ARC ASO AIAG ACEC ASR ASECM ARG AEC ABT ADIP ADCP ANARCHISTS AORCUN AOWC ASJA AALC AX AROC ARM AGENCIES ALBE AK AZE AOPR AREP AMIA ASCE ALANAZI ABDULRAHMEN ABDULHADI AINFCY ARMS ASECEFINKCRMKPAOPTERKHLSAEMRNS AGRICULTURE AFPK AOCR ALEXANDER ATRD ATFN ABLG AORCD AFGHAN ARAS AORCYM AVERY ALVAREZ ACBAQ ALOWAR ANTOINE ABLDG ALAB AMERICAS AFAF ASECAFIN ASEK ASCC AMCT AMGTATK AMT APDC AEMRS ASECE AFSA ATRA ARTICLE ARENA AISG AEMRBC AFR AEIR ASECAF AFARI AMPR ASPA ASOC ANTONIO AORCL ASECARP APRM AUSTRALIAGROUP ASEG AFOR AEAID AMEDI ASECTH ASIC AFDIN AGUIRRE AUNR ASFC AOIC ANTXON ASA ASECCASC ALI AORCEUNPREFPRELSMIGBN ASECKHLS ASSSEMBLY ASECVZ AI ASECPGOV ASIR ASCEC ASAC ARAB AIEA ADMIRAL AUSGR AQ AMTG ARRMZY ANC APR AMAT AIHRC AFU ADEL AECL ACAO AMEMR ADEP AV AW AOR ALL ALOUNI AORCUNGA ALNEA ASC AORCO ARMITAGE AGENGA AGRIC AEM ACOAAMGT AGUILAR AFPHUM AMEDCASCKFLO AFZAL AAA ATPDEA ASECPHUM ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ETRD ETTC EU ECON EFIN EAGR EAID ELAB EINV ENIV ENRG EPET EZ ELTN ELECTIONS ECPS ET ER EG EUN EIND ECONOMICS EMIN ECIN EINT EWWT EAIR EN ENGR ES EI ETMIN EL EPA EARG EFIS ECONOMY EC EK ELAM ECONOMIC EAR ESDP ECCP ELN EUM EUMEM ECA EAP ELEC ECOWAS EFTA EXIM ETTD EDRC ECOSOC ECPSN ENVIRONMENT ECO EMAIL ECTRD EREL EDU ENERG ENERGY ENVR ETRAD EAC EXTERNAL EFIC ECIP ERTD EUC ENRGMO EINZ ESTH ECCT EAGER ECPN ELNT ERD EGEN ETRN EIVN ETDR EXEC EIAD EIAR EVN EPRT ETTF ENGY EAIDCIN EXPORT ETRC ESA EIB EAPC EPIT ESOCI ETRB EINDQTRD ENRC EGOV ECLAC EUR ELF ETEL ENRGUA EVIN EARI ESCAP EID ERIN ELAN ENVT EDEV EWWY EXBS ECOM EV ELNTECON ECE ETRDGK EPETEIND ESCI ETRDAORC EAIDETRD ETTR EMS EAGRECONEINVPGOVBN EBRD EUREM ERGR EAGRBN EAUD EFI ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ETRO ENRGY EGAR ESSO EGAD ENV ENER EAIDXMXAXBXFFR ELA EET EINVETRD EETC EIDN ERGY ETRDPGOV EING EMINCG EINVECON EURM EEC EICN EINO EPSC ELAP ELABPGOVBN EE ESPS ETRA ECONETRDBESPAR ERICKSON EEOC EVENTS EPIN EB ECUN EPWR ENG EX EH EAIDAR EAIS ELBA EPETUN ETRDEIQ EENV ECPC ETRP ECONENRG EUEAID EWT EEB EAIDNI ESENV EADM ECN ENRGKNNP ETAD ETR ECONETRDEAGRJA ETRG ETER EDUC EITC EBUD EAIF EBEXP EAIDS EITI EGOVSY EFQ ECOQKPKO ETRGY ESF EUE EAIC EPGOV ENFR EAGRE ENRD EINTECPS EAVI ETC ETCC EIAID EAIDAF EAGREAIDPGOVPRELBN EAOD ETRDA EURN EASS EINVA EAIDRW EON ECOR EPREL EGPHUM ELTM ECOS EINN ENNP EUPGOV EAGRTR ECONCS ETIO ETRDGR EAIDB EISNAR EIFN ESPINOSA EAIDASEC ELIN EWTR EMED ETFN ETT EADI EPTER ELDIN EINVEFIN ESS ENRGIZ EQRD ESOC ETRDECD ECINECONCS EAIT ECONEAIR ECONEFIN EUNJ ENRGKNNPMNUCPARMPRELNPTIAEAJMXL ELAD EFIM ETIC EFND EFN ETLN ENGRD EWRG ETA EIN EAIRECONRP EXIMOPIC ERA ENRGJM ECONEGE ENVI ECHEVARRIA EMINETRD EAD ECONIZ EENG ELBR EWWC ELTD EAIDMG ETRK EIPR EISNLN ETEX EPTED EFINECONCS EPCS EAG ETRDKIPR ED EAIO ETRDEC ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ERNG EFINU EURFOR EWWI ELTNSNAR ETD EAIRASECCASCID EOXC ESTN EAIDAORC EAGRRP ETRDEMIN ELABPHUMSMIGKCRMBN ETRDEINVTINTCS EGHG EAIDPHUMPRELUG EAGRBTIOBEXPETRDBN EDA EPETPGOV ELAINE EUCOM EMW EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM ELB EINDETRD EMI ETRDECONWTOCS EINR ESTRADA EHUM EFNI ELABV ENR EMN EXO EWWTPRELPGOVMASSMARRBN EATO END EP EINVETC ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID ELTRN EIQ ETTW EAI ENGRG ETRED ENDURING ETTRD EAIDEGZ EOCN EINF EUPREL ENRL ECPO ENLT EEFIN EPPD ECOIN EUEAGR EISL EIDE ENRGSD EINVECONSENVCSJA EAIG ENTG EEPET EUNCH EPECO ETZ EPAT EPTE EAIRGM ETRDPREL EUNGRSISAFPKSYLESO ETTN EINVKSCA ESLCO EBMGT ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EFLU ELND EFINOECD EAIDHO EDUARDO ENEG ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EFINTS ECONQH ENRGPREL EUNPHUM EINDIR EPE EMINECINECONSENVTBIONS EFINM ECRM EQ EWWTSP ECONPGOVBN
KFLO KPKO KDEM KFLU KTEX KMDR KPAO KCRM KIDE KN KNNP KG KMCA KZ KJUS KWBG KU KDMR KAWC KCOR KPAL KOMC KTDB KTIA KISL KHIV KHUM KTER KCFE KTFN KS KIRF KTIP KIRC KSCA KICA KIPR KPWR KWMN KE KGIC KGIT KSTC KACT KSEP KFRD KUNR KHLS KCRS KRVC KUWAIT KVPR KSRE KMPI KMRS KNRV KNEI KCIP KSEO KITA KDRG KV KSUM KCUL KPET KBCT KO KSEC KOLY KNAR KGHG KSAF KWNM KNUC KMNP KVIR KPOL KOCI KPIR KLIG KSAC KSTH KNPT KINL KPRP KRIM KICC KIFR KPRV KAWK KFIN KT KVRC KR KHDP KGOV KPOW KTBT KPMI KPOA KRIF KEDEM KFSC KY KGCC KATRINA KWAC KSPR KTBD KBIO KSCI KRCM KNNB KBNC KIMT KCSY KINR KRAD KMFO KCORR KW KDEMSOCI KNEP KFPC KEMPI KBTR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNPP KTTB KTFIN KBTS KCOM KFTN KMOC KOR KDP KPOP KGHA KSLG KMCR KJUST KUM KMSG KHPD KREC KIPRTRD KPREL KEN KCSA KCRIM KGLB KAKA KWWT KUNP KCRN KISLPINR KLFU KUNC KEDU KCMA KREF KPAS KRKO KNNC KLHS KWAK KOC KAPO KTDD KOGL KLAP KECF KCRCM KNDP KSEAO KCIS KISM KREL KISR KISC KKPO KWCR KPFO KUS KX KWCI KRFD KWPG KTRD KH KLSO KEVIN KEANE KACW KWRF KNAO KETTC KTAO KWIR KVCORR KDEMGT KPLS KICT KWGB KIDS KSCS KIRP KSTCPL KDEN KLAB KFLOA KIND KMIG KPPAO KPRO KLEG KGKG KCUM KTTP KWPA KIIP KPEO KICR KNNA KMGT KCROM KMCC KLPM KNNPGM KSIA KSI KWWW KOMS KESS KMCAJO KWN KTDM KDCM KCM KVPRKHLS KENV KCCP KGCN KCEM KEMR KWMNKDEM KNNPPARM KDRM KWIM KJRE KAID KWMM KPAONZ KUAE KTFR KIF KNAP KPSC KSOCI KCWI KAUST KPIN KCHG KLBO KIRCOEXC KI KIRCHOFF KSTT KNPR KDRL KCFC KLTN KPAOKMDRKE KPALAOIS KESO KKOR KSMT KFTFN KTFM KDEMK KPKP KOCM KNN KISLSCUL KFRDSOCIRO KINT KRG KWMNSMIG KSTCC KPAOY KFOR KWPR KSEPCVIS KGIV KSEI KIL KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KQ KEMS KHSL KTNF KPDD KANSOU KKIV KFCE KTTC KGH KNNNP KK KSCT KWNN KAWX KOMCSG KEIM KTSD KFIU KDTB KFGM KACP KWWMN KWAWC KSPA KGICKS KNUP KNNO KISLAO KTPN KSTS KPRM KPALPREL KPO KTLA KCRP KNMP KAWCK KCERS KDUM KEDM KTIALG KWUN KPTS KPEM KMEPI KAWL KHMN KCRO KCMR KPTD KCROR KMPT KTRF KSKN KMAC KUK KIRL KEM KSOC KBTC KOM KINP KDEMAF KTNBT KISK KRM KWBW KBWG KNNPMNUC KNOP KSUP KCOG KNET KWBC KESP KMRD KEBG KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KPWG KOMCCO KRGY KNNF KPROG KJAN KFRED KPOKO KM KWMNCS KMPF KJWC KJU KSMIG KALR KRAL KDGOV KPA KCRMJA KCRI KAYLA KPGOV KRD KNNPCH KFEM KPRD KFAM KALM KIPRETRDKCRM KMPP KADM KRFR KMWN KWRG KTIAPARM KTIAEUN KRDP KLIP KDDEM KTIAIC KWKN KPAD KDM KRCS KWBGSY KEAI KIVP KPAOPREL KUNH KTSC KIPT KNP KJUSTH KGOR KEPREL KHSA KGHGHIV KNNR KOMH KRCIM KWPB KWIC KINF KPER KILS KA KNRG KCSI KFRP KLFLO KFE KNPPIS KQM KQRDQ KERG KPAOPHUM KSUMPHUM KVBL KARIM KOSOVO KNSD KUIR KWHG KWBGXF KWMNU KPBT KKNP KERF KCRT KVIS KWRC KVIP KTFS KMARR KDGR KPAI KDE KTCRE KMPIO KUNRAORC KHOURY KAWS KPAK KOEM KCGC KID KVRP KCPS KIVR KBDS KWOMN KIIC KTFNJA KARZAI KMVP KHJUS KPKOUNSC KMAR KIBL KUNA KSA KIS KJUSAF KDEV KPMO KHIB KIRD KOUYATE KIPRZ KBEM KPAM KDET KPPD KOSCE KJUSKUNR KICCPUR KRMS KWMNPREL KWMJN KREISLER KWM KDHS KRV KPOV KWMNCI KMPL KFLD KWWN KCVM KIMMITT KCASC KOMO KNATO KDDG KHGH KRF KSCAECON KWMEN KRIC
PREL PINR PGOV PHUM PTER PE PREF PARM PBTS PINS PHSA PK PL PM PNAT PHAS PO PROP PGOVE PA PU POLITICAL PPTER POL PALESTINIAN PHUN PIN PAMQ PPA PSEC POLM PBIO PSOE PDEM PAK PF PKAO PGOVPRELMARRMOPS PMIL PV POLITICS PRELS POLICY PRELHA PIRN PINT PGOG PERSONS PRC PEACE PROCESS PRELPGOV PROV PFOV PKK PRE PT PIRF PSI PRL PRELAF PROG PARMP PERL PUNE PREFA PP PGOB PUM PROTECTION PARTIES PRIL PEL PAGE PS PGO PCUL PLUM PIF PGOVENRGCVISMASSEAIDOPRCEWWTBN PMUC PCOR PAS PB PKO PY PKST PTR PRM POUS PRELIZ PGIC PHUMS PAL PNUC PLO PMOPS PHM PGOVBL PBK PELOSI PTE PGOVAU PNR PINSO PRO PLAB PREM PNIR PSOCI PBS PD PHUML PERURENA PKPA PVOV PMAR PHUMCF PUHM PHUH PRELPGOVETTCIRAE PRT PROPERTY PEPFAR PREI POLUN PAR PINSF PREFL PH PREC PPD PING PQL PINSCE PGV PREO PRELUN POV PGOVPHUM PINRES PRES PGOC PINO POTUS PTERE PRELKPAO PRGOV PETR PGOVEAGRKMCAKNARBN PPKO PARLIAMENT PEPR PMIG PTBS PACE PETER PMDL PVIP PKPO POLMIL PTEL PJUS PHUMNI PRELKPAOIZ PGOVPREL POGV PEREZ POWELL PMASS PDOV PARN PG PPOL PGIV PAIGH PBOV PETROL PGPV PGOVL POSTS PSO PRELEU PRELECON PHUMPINS PGOVKCMABN PQM PRELSP PRGO PATTY PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PGVO PROTESTS PRELPLS PKFK PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PARAGRAPH PRELGOV POG PTRD PTERM PBTSAG PHUMKPAL PRELPK PTERPGOV PAO PRIVATIZATION PSCE PPAO PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PARALYMPIC PRUM PKPRP PETERS PAHO PARMS PGREL PINV POINS PHUMPREL POREL PRELNL PHUMPGOV PGOVQL PLAN PRELL PARP PROVE PSOC PDD PRELNP PRELBR PKMN PGKV PUAS PRELTBIOBA PBTSEWWT PTERIS PGOVU PRELGG PHUMPRELPGOV PFOR PEPGOV PRELUNSC PRAM PICES PTERIZ PREK PRELEAGR PRELEUN PHUME PHU PHUMKCRS PRESL PRTER PGOF PARK PGOVSOCI PTERPREL PGOVEAID PGOVPHUMKPAO PINSKISL PREZ PGOVAF PARMEUN PECON PINL POGOV PGOVLO PIERRE PRELPHUM PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PBST PKPAO PHUMHUPPS PGOVPOL PASS PPGOV PROGV PAGR PHALANAGE PARTY PRELID PGOVID PHUMR PHSAQ PINRAMGT PSA PRELM PRELMU PIA PINRPE PBTSRU PARMIR PEDRO PNUK PVPR PINOCHET PAARM PRFE PRELEIN PINF PCI PSEPC PGOVSU PRLE PDIP PHEM PRELB PORG PGGOC POLG POPDC PGOVPM PWMN PDRG PHUMK PINB PRELAL PRER PFIN PNRG PRED POLI PHUMBO PHYTRP PROLIFERATION PHARM PUOS PRHUM PUNR PENA PGOVREL PETRAEUS PGOVKDEM PGOVENRG PHUS PRESIDENT PTERKU PRELKSUMXABN PGOVSI PHUMQHA PKISL PIR PGOVZI PHUMIZNL PKNP PRELEVU PMIN PHIM PHUMBA PUBLIC PHAM PRELKPKO PMR PARTM PPREL PN PROL PDA PGOVECON PKBL PKEAID PERM PRELEZ PRELC PER PHJM PGOVPRELPINRBN PRFL PLN PWBG PNG PHUMA PGOR PHUMPTER POLINT PPEF PKPAL PNNL PMARR PAC PTIA PKDEM PAUL PREG PTERR PTERPRELPARMPGOVPBTSETTCEAIRELTNTC PRELJA POLS PI PNS PAREL PENV PTEROREP PGOVM PINER PBGT PHSAUNSC PTERDJ PRELEAID PARMIN PKIR PLEC PCRM PNET PARR PRELETRD PRELBN PINRTH PREJ PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEMEX PRELZ PFLP PBPTS PTGOV PREVAL PRELSW PAUM PRF PHUMKDEM PATRICK PGOVKMCAPHUMBN PRELA PNUM PGGV PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PBT PIND PTEP PTERKS PGOVJM PGOT PRELMARR PGOVCU PREV PREFF PRWL PET PROB PRELPHUMP PHUMAF PVTS PRELAFDB PSNR PGOVECONPRELBU PGOVZL PREP PHUMPRELBN PHSAPREL PARCA PGREV PGOVDO PGON PCON PODC PRELOV PHSAK PSHA PGOVGM PRELP POSCE PGOVPTER PHUMRU PINRHU PARMR PGOVTI PPEL PMAT PAN PANAM PGOVBO PRELHRC

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 04VILNIUS1522, EU MEMBERSHIP SPURS LITHUANIAN LABOR FLIGHT

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #04VILNIUS1522.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
04VILNIUS1522 2004-12-16 13:16 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Vilnius
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 VILNIUS 001522 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/NB, DRL/IL, PRM/ENA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB ECON SMIG PGOV LH
SUBJECT: EU MEMBERSHIP SPURS LITHUANIAN LABOR FLIGHT 
 
REF: VILNIUS 1493 
 
1. SUMMARY:  Young Lithuanians have left their homeland en 
masse since the May 1 accession to the EU in search of 
employment abroad.  The exact number leaving remains 
unclear, although as much as a quarter of the country's 
working-age population may leave by the end of the year. 
Some sectors have reported difficulties in hiring workers, 
although representatives from Lithuania's thriving 
construction sector argue that media talk of a labor 
shortage is overblown.  The Lithuanian government and other 
economic analysts hope that increased labor outflows will 
in the end benefit the country's economy, trusting that 
those currently leaving will return to Lithuania with 
capital and business experience.  For its part, the 
Lithuanian government appears willing to let the market run 
its course.  The Labor Party, victorious in recent 
Parliamentary elections, promised in its campaign platform 
to address the problem, but it remains unclear whether it 
really has a plan.  END SUMMARY. 
 
----------------------- 
Lithuanian Labor Exodus 
----------------------- 
 
2. Lithuania's emigration pattern shifted dramatically on 
May 1, when the country entered the European Union and its 
citizens gained the right to live and work legally in Great 
Britain and Ireland.  A startling number of Lithuanians are 
leaving their Baltic homeland for dreams of a better life 
in the West.  While the United States remains a destination 
of choice (reftel), about half of the new emigrees are 
heading for EU countries. 
 
--------- 
How Many? 
--------- 
 
3. The Ministry of Labor actively tracks Lithuania's labor 
outflow but keeps this data confidential at the highest 
levels of the Ministry.  It is difficult to estimate the 
exact number of people leaving, as many retain their 
permanent address in Lithuania while working abroad 
illegally.  According to a recent media survey, 28% of the 
population would like to leave Lithuania and go abroad. 
The Ministry of Labor told us it expects that as many as 
360,000 workers, about one-quarter of the country's 
working-age population, will have departed Lithuania by the 
end of the year.  According to government data, emigration 
increased by 64% in the first half of 2004 as compared to 
the same period in 2003 -- despite the fact that Lithuania 
continues to enjoy one of the highest economic growth rates 
in Europe.  Some experts from the Ministry of Labor note 
that the large labor outflow following EU accession 
included traditional summer seasonal work, and they believe 
that the initial "wave" of emigration has come to an end. 
Recent data from the Lithuanian Labor Exchange (i.e., the 
state unemployment office), supports this theory, 
indicating that emigration decreased 14% from June to July 
after the initial May accession exodus.  Figures from the 
British government also show that work applications from 
Lithuanians in the United Kingdom (Lithuanians' favorite EU 
destination) dropped 50% from the end of May high to the 
end of September. 
 
-------------- 
Economic Shock 
-------------- 
 
4. Rimantas Kairelis, State Secretary of the Ministry of 
Labor, described the current labor outflow as a shock to 
the Lithuanian economy.  So far, however, the extent and 
character of that shock remains unclear.  Wages, currently 
among the lowest of EU members, will undoubtedly rise. 
Lithuania's GDP per capita for 2003 (using Purchasing Power 
Parities to adjust for price level differences) stood at 
only 42% of the EU-15 average and 39% of the UK average. 
As of July 2004, Lithuania's minimum wage (PPP adjusted) 
was only 25.9% of the corresponding wage in the UK. 
Salaries are slowly increasing, while political leaders 
debate how quickly they can afford to raise the minimum 
wage. 
 
----------------------------- 
Internationalization of Labor 
----------------------------- 
 
5. Foreign workers who speak Russian and can therefore 
operate in the Lithuanian labor market will increasingly 
fill the gaps in sectors as diverse as textiles and medical 
services.  Kairelis noted that, with many Lithuanians going 
abroad, the GOL would likely begin increasing quotas on 
foreign workers, most of whom are currently from Belarus 
and Ukraine.   The Department of Migration confirmed 
greater demand for foreign workers in November, reporting 
that Lithuanian companies had submitted a significantly 
higher number of work permit applications since May 1. 
 
-------------- 
Economic Boon? 
-------------- 
 
6. Many Lithuanian experts, while concerned about a shock, 
believe that increased labor mobility will strengthen the 
country's economy, assuming Lithuanians will send money 
back to Lithuania and eventually return to invest their 
savings in and apply their skills to the Lithuanian 
economy.  Data from the Lithuanian Labor Exchange indicates 
that, during the first month following EU accession, 56% of 
those Lithuanians who found employment abroad had 
previously been on the unemployment rolls in Lithuania. 
Marius Grecius, from the EU Integration division of the 
Ministry of Labor, argues, "We believe that with increased 
temporary migration (which is predominant in our case), we 
experience more advantages than disadvantages: notably, 
workers return with new experience, we export unemployment, 
and money flows back to the economy in the form of 
remittances." 
 
------------------ 
Impact on Industry 
------------------ 
 
Trucking 
-------- 
 
7. Lithuanian trucking companies have been particularly 
hard hit by labor outflows.  The Lithuanian Trucking 
Association, Linava, reported in September a shortage of 
3,000-4,000 truck drivers in Lithuania.  Anatolijius 
Jakimovas, Linava spokesperson, noted that many Lithuanian 
trucking companies must now hire more foreign workers, 
especially from Russia. 
 
Retail 
------ 
 
8. Large retail stores, whose jobs are infamous for low 
wages and long hours, have also reported some difficulty in 
filling all positions.  Media emphasis on a labor shortage 
has sometimes proven exaggerated, however.  Inga Skisaker, 
general director of Rimi Lietuva, one of Lithuania's 
largest retail chains, said a month after EU accession that 
she knew of only one case of a Rimi employee quitting for 
work abroad. 
 
Construction 
------------ 
 
9. Lithuania's construction sector, credited by many 
analysts with driving Lithuania's current economic growth, 
has not felt much of an impact.  Ranga IV, a top-notch 
construction firm that has built many of Vilnius' largest 
buildings, reports that labor outflow has not significantly 
affected the company's business to date, although it has 
identified labor shortages as a possible obstacle to future 
business.  Ranga IV's Dita Purliene told us that, while the 
company does not currently employ any foreign workers, 
Ranga IV is now considering hiring from Belarus and Ukraine 
in order to forestall a future labor shortage.  Marius 
Sulcas, General Manager of Regina ir Co., a Vilnius-based 
construction company active throughout Lithuania and in 
some neighboring countries, described the labor flight 
issue as "more talk than a real problem."  He said that the 
quality of life for a skilled laborer in Lithuania, 
primarily because of the low cost of living and proximity 
to family, often matches or even surpasses that of his/her 
counterpart in the United Kingdom, despite the difference 
in nominal salaries.  Regina ir Co. has not witnessed a 
substantial increase in labor flight since May 1.  Turnover 
among the firm's approximately 200 employees remains stable 
at around two to three per month. 
 
-------------------------------- 
"No, Really, We'll Come Back..." 
-------------------------------- 
 
10. Although the impact on business remains unclear, a 
large outflow of labor could devastate tax revenues, place 
inflationary pressures on local labor markets, and have a 
"brain drain" effect.  Some analysts already list a 
shortage of skilled labor as a reason for a recent slowing 
of economic growth.  Lithuania's hopes that the current 
labor outflow will benefit the economy, therefore, depend 
on the return of a large number of expats -- or at least 
their remittances. 
 
11. Virtually all Lithuanians, however, claim that a 
majority of those leaving the country in search of 
employment will return after a short stay abroad.  Even in 
Kelme, a depressed, rural town in western Lithuania being 
abandoned by its youth in startling numbers, community 
leaders told us that they strongly believed most young 
people would return home after a short stay in the capital 
or abroad. 
 
12. Lithuania's students tell us that, while they would 
like to get some international work or study experience, 
they do not want to stay outside of Lithuania for more than 
one to three years.  Most Lithuanians abroad are able to 
secure only unskilled labor positions, despite their 
generally high educational level.  Educated, young 
Lithuanians note that they want to gain professional 
experience abroad, but will not be satisfied in the long 
term with menial positions, even at high wages.  Giedre 
Vilkaite, a member of the Kaunas Technological University 
Student Council, explained, "We do not want to wash dishes 
for the rest of our lives."  Strong nationalist feelings 
also restrain some Lithuanians from permanently leaving 
their 13-year-old republic.  Asked if she would accompany 
her boyfriend, who had taken a job for a logistics company 
in England, 26-year-old Ona Klizaite responded, "How could 
I disown my homeland?" 
 
13. Although polling indicates that a majority of 
Lithuanians would like to work abroad, only nine percent of 
respondents claim they would like to leave Lithuania 
permanently.  According to Monika Butkute, who is in charge 
of the EU's EURES employment database at the Vilnius Labor 
Exchange, many Lithuanians go to the Labor Exchange looking 
for work abroad simply to earn money for a big-ticket item, 
like a house or car.  After meeting their savings' goal, 
they usually return home. 
 
----------------- 
... Or Will They? 
----------------- 
 
14. Like so many Lithuanians before them, however, the 
plans of the latest wave of emigrants may change once they 
settle into new lives abroad.  Some of those currently 
departing Lithuania, once they attain quality jobs and a 
new lifestyle, undoubtedly decide to permanently reside 
abroad.  Asta Finch, a Lithuanian citizen who has been 
living in London for more than five years, provided us with 
a different perspective.  Asta left Lithuania for economic 
reasons, and she has settled in with a good job at Harrods 
department store.  Citing the dramatic difference in 
salaries in England and Lithuania, Asta rhetorically asked, 
"Why would anyone want to stay in Lithuania?" 
 
---------------------------------- 
Government Not Sure How to Respond 
---------------------------------- 
 
15. Despite increased media attention since May 1 to labor 
flight, politicians largely ignore the issue.  Rimantas 
Karelis, State Secretary from the Ministry of Labor, 
lamented that the GOL has not developed any real strategies 
or tactics to address the danger of labor flight.  Having 
long championed EU accession, the GOL now finds itself a 
victim of its own success, with no plan to deal with the 
demographic consequences of joining one of the world's 
biggest economic forces.  Politicians are only slowly 
realizing that they might have to take serious action to 
forestall a population crisis in their country of 3.5 
million. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
Comment: An Issue for the Labor Party? 
-------------------------------------- 
 
16. Lithuania's new Minister of Economy Viktor Uspaskich 
hopes to stop the brain drain by sending students to study 
overseas.  Uspaskich's Labor Party ran to victory in 
October parliamentary elections on a platform that 
recommended state funding for Lithuanians who study abroad 
and then return home to work in critical industries. 
Uspaskich's own two children are studying in the United 
States.  It remains unclear, however, whether such 
proposals would do anything to stop the powerful economic 
forces that underpin the latest wave of Lithuanian 
emigration. 
 
MULL